*Says Abuja-Kaduna train services to resume soon

By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said Friday that the Federal government is putting adequate security measures in place towards resumption of commercial train services on the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks.

The minister who spoke about the release of the 23 remaining hostages while addressing journalist in Abuja, said unequivocally that no ransom was paid before the abducted passengers were freed on October5. He said, “No Kobo was paid in exchange for their release”.

According to the minister, the government has two fold plans for the resumption of train services on the route, namely; short and long term plans. The short term plan, he said will commence very soon. “We have short and long term plans”, Sambo said. He assured, “We will start the short term services very soon, within the period of three months” he said the government is mindful of safety and security of rail passengers and that adequate measures would be put in place for travellers. He further said that the government suspended commercial rail services on the route following March 28 terrorists attack and abduction of the passengers. Sambo said that repair work on the rail tracks have been done. The minister commended President Buhari, the Nigerian military for their gallantry, committee of retired Generals, presidential committee and everyone who was involved in the release of the hostages.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani said the freed passengers and their families are undergoing post-traumatic rehabilitation. “Just to let you know that first of the process securing the release of the victims, just like the minister has said, when they were released, they were first taken to the hospital. So the Doctors have reviewed them, and those that needed immediate attention have been given immediate attention. But we know that this is a form of trauma that these victims have gone through, including their relatives. So the plans for post-traumatic rehabilitation for the victims and their family members, they still have an open link to the hospital to go through these processes. And this is best done in the location where the victims live”, Ajani said.

•Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo

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